Lights Out! Connecticut is a statewide organizing and advocacy campaign of Menunkatuck Audubon Society.

Help Save Connecticut’s Migratory Birds

Join the growing coalition of Connecticut residents, businesses, schools, churches, and outdoor spaces pledging to turn off their unnecessary lighting from 11pm to 6am during peak bird migration (Sept 1-Nov 15 and Apr 1-May 31) to reduce the risks to migratory birds.

Learn more about the problem of artificial light and what you can do at Lights Out! Connecticut.

Save Birds • Save Energy • Save Money

Every spring and fall, millions of birds, representing over 200 species, including the endangered American Bittern, Northern Harrier, and Red-headed Woodpecker, are known to pass through New Haven each year during their seasonal migration to and from their summer nesting grounds. Because our city is located along the Atlantic Flyway, a major migration route, many birds use our green spaces and shorelines to rest and refuel for their trip.

As expert navigators, these birds travel by night, guided by the light of the moon and stars. So, they can become confused and disoriented by the glow of modern cities emitting artificial light from buildings, bridges, and other man-made structures, causing them to fatally crash into windows and buildings or circle overhead for hours until they drop from exhaustion. The result is catastrophic: an estimated 365–988 million bird deaths in the United States annually.

We can help birds reach their destinations safely by reducing skyglow over our city!

Why Lights Out?

There is a growing movement of cities, states, and local businesses pledging to reduce light pollution to ensure the safe passage of birds and other wildlife — and reduce utilities bills! Under the Lights Out initiative, building owners, managers, and tenants work together to ensure that all of their nonessential lights are turned off or dimmed at night during weeks of spring and fall migration. Participation is completely voluntary, self-monitored, and self-assessed. For instance, if a school or business determines it can only safely turn off five exterior lights and install motion detection lights indoors, it can join the program in good faith.

Turning off excess lights is a win-win! It saves birds, while reducing energy use (and money!) and Greenhouse Gas emissions! The Environmental Protection Agency identifies energy as the largest operating expense for commercial buildings.

Eliminating light pollution also protects our view of the stars!

How Can You help?

Bird mortalities after window strikes at Evans Hall (School of Management) on the Yale University campus. Photo: Viveca Morris.

You can help with a flick of a switch – plus you’ll save money on energy costs!

EVERY NIGHT from 11 pm – 6am during spring (April 1 to May 31) and fall (September 1 to November 15) migration —

  • Turn off rooftop lighting and exterior architectural lighting.

  • Turn off interior lights where possible. Dim lobby/atrium lighting.

  • Turn off lights on unoccupied floors and unused spaces.

  • Turn off or dim parking lot lighting. (Security lights should be left on as needed for safety.)

  • Make sure external lighting is down shielded.

  • Install motion detectors and timers on lights

  • Draw blinds or curtains in rooms where lights are in use.

Be part of the solution! Learn more about Lights Out New Haven today.

What Can Employees Do?

  • If you need to work at night, use task lighting rather than overhead lighting. Or draw the blinds or drapes.

  • Talk to your employer and co-workers about Lights Out.

  • information about Lights Out in your office or on Facebook. 

Worried about Safety?

Streetlights and night-time decorative lighting may make us feel safer, but it has not been proven to reduce crime rates or accidents. Take a look at the research!